What Does It Mean To Take An Oath?

Maryland --(Ammoland.com)- Many Marylanders’ (mainly staunch conservatives) have expressed to me their belief that there is no reason to stay in Maryland.

This attitude permeates from a conviction that the politicians have ceased to care about the voters. They have come to feel that the hope of ever having politicians adhere to the Constitution is long gone.

Unfortunately, many elected officials do not even understand the basic rights of Marylanders’ as granted in the State Constitution. Worse yet, they pass legislation that directly violates citizens’ rights and freedoms. In some cases, this is simply because of ignorance; in other cases it is intentional with no regard for the Constitution.

All elected officials take an Oath of Office to uphold and defend the State and U.S. Constitutions. Sadly most have no idea what an Oath is. Many voters and elected officials alike are confused in their understanding of the Oath of Office, believing that the Oath is made to the people, as a promise to legislate wisely and justly.

The Oath that I took, when I was sworn in as a State Delegate each term is as follows:

I, Don Dwyer, Jr. do swear and affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States; and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the State of Maryland, and support the Constitution and Laws thereof; and that I will, to the best of my skill and judgment, diligently and faithfully, without partiality or prejudice, execute the office of State Delegate according to the Constitution and Laws of this State, that I will not directly or indirectly, receive the profits or any part of the profits of any other office during the term of my acting as Delegate.

Webster’s Dictionary (1828) defines an Oath:

A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. The appeal to God in an oath implies that the person imprecates his vengeance and renounces his favor if the declaration is false, or if the declaration is a promise, the person invokes the vengeance of God if he should fail to fulfill it. A false oath is called perjury.

The Oath of Office is a declaration to God, that the words in the oath be true. The oath is an affirmation to be held accountable by God, should the Oath be broken.

In order that the rights of all Maryland Citizens may be protected in the future, I am introducing legislation that will require that every elected official in the state, take a limited class prior to being sworn in, that covers;

A) Upholding the Oath of office.

B) A primer on the Maryland Declaration of Rights.

C) A primer on the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights.

Encourage your elected representatives to support this legislation and to defend your rights under the State Constitution.